Crime & Safety

Following House Fire, Richfield Felon Arrested on Firearm Charges

Andrew Jerome Bigbee was charged with a prohibited person being in possession of a firearm.

A Richfield man has been charged with felony possession of a firearm by a prohibited person after police say they found long barrel air rifle at the man's address.

Andrew Jerome Bigbee, 47, was arrested and charged by police Oct. 22.

According to the criminal complaint:

Richfield Police and Fire responded to a report of a house fire at 9:13 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22 on the 1000 block of 76th Street. Officers were reportedly familiar with the address because of prior contacts at the residence.

Police entered the home with firefighters as the firefighters searched for the cause of the smoke and to see if any occupants were still inside. When the building was cleared, police and firefighters saw a long barrel gun on top of the refrigerator in plain sight as they were exiting the home through the kitchen door.

When police were outside the house, the home's resident appeared. The resident was identified as Bigbee, who is prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions. Police then applied and received a search warrant for the home. Documentation of Bigbee's residency at that location and a long barrel air rifle were found.

Bigbee's bail was set at $100,000. If convicted, Bigbee could face a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and/or a $30,000 fine. The cause of the fire was not noted in the criminal complaint.

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